Immune Cell Receptor Gives Aβ a Toxic Edge

Despite ample evidence implicating Aβ in Alzheimer’s pathology, scientists still struggle to understand how the peptide harms the brain. In a June 10 article published online in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, scientists led by Yong-Keun Jung, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea, report that immune cell receptor FcγRIIb binds soluble Aβ and mediates the peptide’s toxicity. These results may suggest a new avenue for therapeutic intervention in AD, wrote the authors.

“The data are quite clear,” said Terrence Town, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, pointing out that the authors explored this interaction in a variety of systems—cultured cells, animals, and humans. “It is a new pathway for Aβ oligomer toxicity.”

FcγRIIb spans the membranes of B cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. The receptor is one of a family that binds the Fc region of antibody complexes. On B cells, FcγRIIb inhibits both phagocytosis and antibody production, keeping the immune responses under control and helping prevent autoimmunity (see Pritchard and Smith, 2003). In general, FcγRs are expressed in the central nervous system and are hypothesized to play a role in neurodegenerative disease (for a review, see Okun et al., 2010). However, scientists know very little about FcγRIIb in the brain, except that it may regulate cerebellar development and function (see Nakamura et al., 2007). Jung and colleagues previously found that primary cortical neurons exposed to synthetic Aβ42 oligomers upregulated this receptor. In this study, they further probed the connection between the two.

Using an anti-human FcγRIIb antibody, lead author Tae-In Kam and colleagues detected the receptor in hippocampal homogenates from AD and normal brains. Greater amounts of FcγRIIb correlated with ascending Braak stage. The authors found that the receptor co-localized with intraneuronal Aβ, which they detected with the Nu-1 antibody.

Turning to animal models, Kam and colleagues found that six- and 17-month-old J20 mice, which express the human amyloid precursor protein, accumulated more of the receptor in the cortex than did control animals. What boosted the FcγRIIb levels? The researchers found that when added to cultured wild-type cortical neurons, synthetic Aβ42 oligomers activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and its downstream transcription factor, c-Jun. Previously, researchers had reported that c-Jun activates the FcγRIIb promoter. The findings suggest that Aβ42 works through JNK-c-Jun to promote the receptor’s transcription.

Curiously, Kam and colleagues found that Aβ not only drove production of FcγRIIb via JNK signaling, but also bound to it as well. This suggests the receptor participates in a feed-forward loop, Jung told Alzforum. The FcγRIIb ectodomain coimmunoprecipitated with soluble Aβ42 in extracts from human AD hippocampus, and FcγRIIb bound synthetic Aβ oligomers added to cultured human neuroblastoma cells. Computer modeling predicted that the IgG binding domain of FcγRIIb bound to Aβ42’s N-terminus, and adding Aβ1-9 to compete in the immunoprecipitations confirmed that interaction (see image below). Adding the ectodomain of FcγRIIb to cultured cells soaked up synthetic Aβ42 and prevented it from binding the native receptor.

image

FcγRIIb binds Aβ: A computer simulation suggests that the N-terminus of Aβ42 (red ribbon) binds to the IgG binding domain of FcγRIIb. Image courtesy of the Journal of Clinical Investigation and Yong-Keun Jung

Through this binding action, FcγRIIb seemed to mediate Aβ toxicity. Kam and colleagues found that knocking out FcγRIIb protected cultured cortical neurons against synthetic Aβ42 oligomers (see Lambert et al., 2001). In wild-type neurons, but not in FcγRIIb knockouts, Aβ42 oligomers elevated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers and activated caspase-12, which is known to mediate both ER stress and apoptosis. In vivo, knocking out the immune receptor rescued J20 mice from cognitive losses typically seen at four to six months of age. FcγRIIb-negative hippocampal slices also exhibited normal long-term potentiation when treated with synthetic Aβ42 and maintained spine density when incubated with cell-derived Aβ (see Walsh et al., 2002). These results suggested that the receptor mediates Aβ42’s toxic effects, wrote the authors.

“We believe that selective inhibition in the interaction of FcγRIIb with Aβ1-42 can be considered a new therapeutic [strategy],” wrote the authors. Jung told Alzforum that his group is looking for small molecules that will prevent this receptor from binding Aβ, while allowing it to interact as usual with immunoglobulins. Town agreed that this could be a therapeutic possibility. He wondered whether it would reduce neuron loss in an animal model that underwent significant neurodegeneration.

This receptor adds to a growing list of Aβ-binding proteins thought to be involved in pathology. Receptors for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), Aβ-binding alcohol dehydrogenase (ABAD), and cellular prion protein (PrPC) have all been reported to bind Aβ and mediate its pathology (see ARF related news story, ARF news story, and ARF news story). However, their relevance in humans and their therapeutic possibilities are still under investigation (see ARF related news story and ARF news story). Two years ago, a small molecule designed to disrupt the RAGE interaction failed in a clinical trial (see ARF related news story).

Recent studies have implicated other receptors of the immune system in AD pathology. CD33, a lectin involved in the innate immune pathway and previously found to be a genetic risk factor for AD (see ARF related news story), is upregulated in microglial cells of AD brains and inhibits uptake and clearance of Aβ42 (see Griciuc et al., 2013, and ARF Webinar. Another innate immunity receptor—CD36—involved in Aβ trafficking promotes cerebral amyloid angiopathy in Tg2576 mice (see Park et al., 2013), while recent genetic evidence points to variants in the gene encoding the microglial receptor TREM2 as strong risk factors for AD (see ARF related news story).

These are different classes of immune receptors that may either help or hinder neurodegeneration, said Rita Guerreiro, University College London, U.K. “We don’t know yet how these proteins work together to lead to cell death and dementia,” she said. "However, together these studies strongly suggest that the immune response deserves a close look, and hopefully further research will help us piece together the evidence in a comprehensive way."—Gwyneth Dickey Zakaib

Comments

  1. This is an interesting study showing that primary cortical neurons exposed to synthetic Aβ42 oligomers upregulated FcγRIIb via JNK signaling. Did the authors see any effect of Aβ40 oligomers on this particular receptor? So far authors have used J20; is it possible to see the same effect in other Alzheimer's transgenic mice?

    View all comments by Suhail Rasool

  2. This is a very interesting finding that directly correlates with our work at Crossbeta. For studying the effect of compounds on the interaction between Aβ oligomers and a receptor present on neurons and inflammatory cells, we have successfully developed a biochemical high-throughput screening assay on the basis of Perkin Elmer's AlphaScreen technology for studying molecular interactions. The Aβ oligomers that we applied in this screening assay have been stabilized and purified to avoid interference by monomeric Aβ and fibrils and thus improve statistical power while maintaining functionality of the oligomers.

    Using this assay, we performed an HTS campaign to identify small molecules that inhibit the oligomer-receptor interactions. For follow-up we have selected the compounds that specifically bind to the oligomers and not to the receptor, thus avoiding side effects due to blocking the physiological function of the receptor. The screening platform we developed at Crossbeta could be adapted to FcγRIIb, and we would welcome a discussion. Our stabilized oligomers could also be evaluated upon request.

    View all comments by Armand Tepper

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References

News Citations

  1. Aβ Oligomers and Synaptic Dysfunction—Blame It on RAGE?
  2. ABAD, aka ERAB: Mitochondrial Miscreant Returns
  3. Keystone: Partners in Crime—Do Aβ and Prion Protein Pummel Plasticity?
  4. Tracing Aβ’s Toxicity Through Prion Protein, Fyn Kinase
  5. A BAD Mitochondrial Dehydrogenase—A Good AD Drug Target?
  6. Door Slams on RAGE
  7. Four New Acts Debut on GWAS Screen
  8. Enter the New Alzheimer’s Gene: TREM2 Variant Triples Risk

Webinar Citations

  1. Can Network Analysis Identify Pathological Pathways in Alzheimer’s

Paper Citations

  1. Pritchard NR, Smith KG. B cell inhibitory receptors and autoimmunity. Immunology. 2003 Mar;108(3):263-73. PubMed.
  2. Okun E, Mattson MP, Arumugam TV. Involvement of Fc receptors in disorders of the central nervous system. Neuromolecular Med. 2010 Jun;12(2):164-78. PubMed.
  3. Nakamura K, Hirai H, Torashima T, Miyazaki T, Tsurui H, Xiu Y, Ohtsuji M, Lin QS, Tsukamoto K, Nishimura H, Ono M, Watanabe M, Hirose S. CD3 and immunoglobulin G Fc receptor regulate cerebellar functions. Mol Cell Biol. 2007 Jul;27(14):5128-34. PubMed.
  4. Lambert MP, Viola KL, Chromy BA, Chang L, Morgan TE, Yu J, Venton DL, Krafft GA, Finch CE, Klein WL. Vaccination with soluble Abeta oligomers generates toxicity-neutralizing antibodies. J Neurochem. 2001 Nov;79(3):595-605. PubMed.
  5. Walsh DM, Klyubin I, Fadeeva JV, Cullen WK, Anwyl R, Wolfe MS, Rowan MJ, Selkoe DJ. Naturally secreted oligomers of amyloid beta protein potently inhibit hippocampal long-term potentiation in vivo. Nature. 2002 Apr 4;416(6880):535-9. PubMed.
  6. Griciuc A, Serrano-Pozo A, Parrado AR, Lesinski AN, Asselin CN, Mullin K, Hooli B, Choi SH, Hyman BT, Tanzi RE. Alzheimer's disease risk gene CD33 inhibits microglial uptake of amyloid beta. Neuron. 2013 May 22;78(4):631-43. PubMed.
  7. Park L, Zhou J, Zhou P, Pistick R, El Jamal S, Younkin L, Pierce J, Arreguin A, Anrather J, Younkin SG, Carlson GA, McEwen BS, Iadecola C. Innate immunity receptor CD36 promotes cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Feb 19;110(8):3089-94. PubMed.

Other Citations

  1. J20 mice

Further Reading

Papers

  1. Park L, Zhou J, Zhou P, Pistick R, El Jamal S, Younkin L, Pierce J, Arreguin A, Anrather J, Younkin SG, Carlson GA, McEwen BS, Iadecola C. Innate immunity receptor CD36 promotes cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Feb 19;110(8):3089-94. PubMed.
  2. Pritchard NR, Smith KG. B cell inhibitory receptors and autoimmunity. Immunology. 2003 Mar;108(3):263-73. PubMed.
  3. Okun E, Mattson MP, Arumugam TV. Involvement of Fc receptors in disorders of the central nervous system. Neuromolecular Med. 2010 Jun;12(2):164-78. PubMed.
  4. Nakamura K, Hirai H, Torashima T, Miyazaki T, Tsurui H, Xiu Y, Ohtsuji M, Lin QS, Tsukamoto K, Nishimura H, Ono M, Watanabe M, Hirose S. CD3 and immunoglobulin G Fc receptor regulate cerebellar functions. Mol Cell Biol. 2007 Jul;27(14):5128-34. PubMed.

Primary Papers

  1. Kam TI, Song S, Gwon Y, Park H, Yan JJ, Im I, Choi JW, Choi TY, Kim J, Song DK, Takai T, Kim YC, Kim KS, Choi SY, Choi S, Klein WL, Yuan J, Jung YK. FcγRIIb mediates amyloid-β neurotoxicity and memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease. J Clin Invest. 2013 Jul 1;123(7):2791-802. PubMed.

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